Laika (Caroline and ParaNorman) is one of the animation world’s great new wonders, using pioneering creative technologies and approaches to storytelling. Where do they fit into the storied history of the medium and who is driving their creative visions? A chat with some key leaders of the Laika will provide a window in their wonderful world.

Steven Gaydos - VP, Executive Editor, Variety, will lead discussion on The Boxtrolls.

Gary Yost and Peter Coyote's beautiful, compelling short film, The Invisible Peak, was made for The National Parks Conservancy to inaugurate the Tamalpais Lands Collaborative's efforts to restore and maintain Mt. Tam—and in particular, efforts to remove the remnants of the old military base on top of the West Peak.

INSIGHT: A MASTER CLASS WITH TED HOPE

Ted Hope offers visionary insights into film and filmmaking filtered through his unique indie wisdom, with readings and reference to his first book, Hope for Film.

A book signing, courtesy of Copperfield's Books, will follow.

STORYTELLING WORKSHOP WITH TOM SCHLESINGER

Sunday, October 5 • 3:30 pmChrtistopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center

Renowned story consultant Tom Schlesinger leads this workshop in which participants will learn the 12 essential elements of documentary storytelling, how to engage the widest audience, and how to have the greatest social impact. Schlesinger has taught storytelling seminars at Pixar Animation Studios, Lucasfi lm Ltd., AFI, and the WGA.

CLICK HERE to check out a demo reel of docs on which Tom has recently worked.

ACTIVE CINEMA TOOLKIT: UPGRADES FOR CHANGE

A dynamic panel of filmmaker-innovators will discuss their work and practices—in transmedia storytelling, participatory technology and other tools—and discuss ways that new platforms can support filmmakers and their efforts to use the power of story to inspire quantifiable engagement.

VARIETY CONTENDERS CONVERSATION WITH DARREN ARONOFSKY

Saturday, October 11 • 8:15 pmLark Theatre

This Awards season conversation, with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler, Black Swan) looks at the creative and collaborative filmmaking process involved in his newest work, Noah, with an emphasis on visual effects. Aronofsky will be joined by the film’s four-time Oscar-nominated Visual Effects Supervisor Ben Snow and Animation Supervisor Marc Chu from Industrial Light & Magic. The program will include clips and an onstage conversation with Steve Chagollan, Senior Features Editor of Variety.